I am honored that CERF+, an organization that helps artists in sustaining their careers, published an article I wrote about depicting legacy tools in my work. The legacy tools are a collection of woodworking tools that have been handed down through several generations of my family. To me, each tool is a work of art and holds great purpose in the world. PLEASE READ THE ARTICLE HERE.

In truth the Keepsake tools about which the article are written represent a small selection of the broader Keepsake Suite of paintings. Included in the Keepsake Suite are depictions of my generations old utilitarian kitchen items and an old diaper pail from my babyhood. When I was honored with an Artist in Residence position at the Herbert Hoover National Historic site, I not only painted the beautiful prairie landscape of Iowa, but chose to paint Hoover’s mother’s chair in the birthplace cottage, objects inside of Herbert Hoover’s childhood Quaker school house and lanterns and tools in Hoover’s father, Jesse’s blacksmith shop. I’ve been commissioned by others to paint their treasured Keepsake tools. One of the most memorable (and challenging paintings) was of dental tools used by a dentist who traveled on mission trips to offer free dental services to underserved people. To see more Keepsake Paintings please visit https://carenhackman.com/sort/keepsake/